Cost-effective hydrocele ablation.
OBJECTIVE
The surgical repair of hydroceles can be relatively expensive in some cases in terms of costs and initial limitation of activity. We ascertain whether aspiration and sclerotherapy of hydroceles is a safe, efficient, cost-effective treatment modality in select patients.


METHODS
In 47 patients 51 hydroceles were treated in the office with aspiration and instillation of a sclerosing solution based on a sodium tetradecyl sulfate preparation. One treatment was done in 14 cases and 2 in the remainder. Medicare data for 1995 were used for charge analysis.


RESULTS
The overall success rate was 61% (34 of 51 cases) with success defined as no perceptible ipsilateral scrotal fluid reaccumulation on palpation by a physician and complete patient satisfaction. The failure rate was 39% (17 cases) with failure defined as perceptible ipsilateral scrotal fluid reaccumulation on palpation by a physician and/or patient dissatisfaction. The charge differential of surgery versus aspiration and sclerotherapy was greater than 9:1.


CONCLUSIONS
The aspiration and sclerotherapy technique that we used appears to be an efficacious, safe, cost-effective treatment modality in select patients with idiopathic hydroceles.
Fracchia
J A
JA
Division of Urology, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York, USA.
Armenakas
N A
NA
Kohan
A D
AD
D000368:Aged; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004322:Drainage / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000191:economics; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000191:economics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome